Are you considering whether to become a hypnotherapist? It always fascinates me how people come into a career in hypnotherapy, as very few people leave school with that ambition. In fact, most of us seem to arrive at it after doing something else entirely. In many ways, that’s a good thing, though. A bit of life experience can be invaluable when you’re supporting others through their difficulties.
Before you actually take the plunge and sign up for hypnotherapy training, it can be helpful to hear how others found their way into the profession, and what the reality of the work is like. So this is my story.
Should You Become a Hypnotherapist?
I left school with no idea of what I wanted to do, and went into the clerical civil service. That lasted around 12 years, but everything changed when my first child was born.
I took some time off to be with her, but wanted to ‘keep my brain in gear’ for a future return to work. A couple of classes at the local tech (called a 6th form college these days), seemed to fit the bill. A law GCSE first (very useful, all about consumer rights) then a psychology one, just because it interested me. Thanks to a wonderful teacher, the following year I found myself on a degree course. I pursued this part-time for the next seven years. It should have been six, but the arrival of a second child mid-way through slowed things down a bit.
I did a number of temporary and part-time jobs alongside my studies, including “lollypop lady” for my daughter’s school. Great fun, but occasionally scary. If you’ve never dressed as a lemon and stood in the path of oncoming traffic, you’ll never know.
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A New Career
At the end of this time, both the kids were in school and I wanted a ‘proper job’. Problem was, I also needed the freedom to drop everything and run now and then. My eldest was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (now part of Autistic Spectrum Disorder). They were in mainstream school, but sometimes required my presence at short notice.
I quickly decided the most understanding boss I could have would be myself, and so began a quest for self-employment. Unfortunately, despite my enthusiasm and shiny new degree, I found I had few saleable skills.
Around this time, my husband found an ad in the local paper for a hypnotherapy school. They must have advertised there before but we’d never noticed. I knew nothing about hypnosis or hypnotherapy and I’d never been hypnotised. But it was connected to psychology, just down the road, and it was holding an open day. I went along and got completely hooked. The rest, as they say, is history.
What Is It Like to Work as a Hypnotherapist?
Since qualifying, I’ve taken further training in stress management and suicide prevention. As well as seeing clients, I’ve offered seminars to local employers, run relaxation classes, opened a hypnotherapy school, and written several books. It’s been my only source of income, one way or another, for over 20 years.
What I hadn’t fully appreciated at the beginning is that being a hypnotherapist also involves running a business. Alongside seeing clients, you’re likely to find yourself wearing many hats: accountant, marketer, website manager, social media organiser, and more. Still, it’s part of what gives the job its flexibility, and no two days are ever the same.
Is Hypnotherapy a Good Career?
Is it the ‘proper job’ I was looking for? Probably not in the traditional sense.
Hypnotherapy isn’t a “typical” job. At different times it can be enjoyable, fulfilling, frustrating, uplifting, and emotional. You are in contact with people at challenging times in their lives, which is both a privilege and a responsibility. But it’s so lovely watching them become empowered and self-assured.
If it wasn’t for my husband spotting that advert, I might well have returned to a clerical role. Probably enjoying it, but never knowing what I’d missed. Instead, I found a career that allows me to support people transforming their lives for the better. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
updated April 2026
About Debbie Waller
Blog Author Debbie Waller is a hypnotherapist, supervisor, and trainer with more than twenty years of experience. As well as having a busy client practice, she runs Yorkshire Hypnotherapy Training and writes books and articles for therapists who want to deepen their knowledge and develop effective practice.
Disclaimer
The information and ideas shared on this blog are based on the author’s professional experience, research, and training. They are intended for educational purposes and to support reflection and professional development. Therapists should always apply their own professional judgment and consider the needs of individual clients when using any techniques or suggestions discussed here.
While every effort is made to ensure the information is accurate and helpful, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss, damage, or difficulties arising from the use or misuse of material contained in these articles.
